With some simple peony care in spring, you can give plants a head start on the growing season. Heres what you need to do to make sure peonies are good to grow.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Spring peony care is pretty easy, but it’s important to get plants ready for the big blooming season that’s coming up. Are you like me? One of the things you most look forward to is brushing off the winter mulch and other debris to see what plants are starting to grow. And in many locations, the red shoots of peony plants are one of the earliest signs of spring. When the first peony sprouts appear in the spring, we’ll talk about everything you need to do for them.
One of the most exciting signs that spring has arrived is spotting the first peony shoots emerging from the ground. If you grow peonies in your garden, watching for the appearance of their red sprouts poking up through the soil is an annual rite of spring. But when exactly do peony shoots first appear each year?
The timing varies slightly based on climate and variety, but generally peony shoots emerge in late winter to early spring. Here’s a more in-depth look at when you can expect to see peony shoots each season.
Peony Shoot Growth Timeline
Peonies are herbaceous perennials, meaning the plants die back to the ground every winter in cold climates, then re-sprout the following spring.
In zones 3-8 where peonies are winter hardy the typical timeline of peony shoot growth is
-
November – February: Peonies are dormant. No visible growth above ground.
-
Late February – Mid March: Shoots begin to emerge if soil temperatures reach 40°F.
-
Mid March – Early April: Shoots are several inches tall. Leaflets begin opening.
-
April: Shoots are 6 to 12 inches tall. Leaves unfurl and buds swell.
-
May – June: Peony flowers bloom in most regions. Foliage reaches full size.
So you can generally expect to see the very first peony shoots poking up out of the ground in late winter through early spring once temperatures begin to warm.
Factors That Influence Peony Shoot Growth
Several key factors impact exactly when you’ll spot those early peony shoots in your garden beds:
Climate and Location
In warmer climates like USDA zones 9-10 where peonies grow as evergreens, shoots may emerge as early as January. In very cold climates, appearance of shoots is delayed until late March or even April.
Soil Temperature
Peonies need consistent soil temperatures around 40°F before shoots will emerge from dormancy. This threshold is reached earlier in warmer regions.
Sun Exposure
Sunny, south facing gardens warm up quicker in spring, triggering earlier peony shoot growth. Shady gardens may delay sprouting.
Snow Cover
Heavy snow acts as an insulator, keeping soil warmer than bare ground. Where winters are very snowy, peony shoots often appear as soon as snow melts.
Variety
Early season peonies tend to send up shoots sooner than mid or late season varieties. Most modern hybrids emerge earlier than heirloom types as well.
Plant Health
Vigorous, healthy peony plants are quick to sprout in spring, while weaker plants are slower to wake up from dormancy.
Signs Peony Shoots Are About to Emerge
Want to get a jump start on spotting the season’s first peony shoots? Here are some clues that emergence is imminent:
-
Soil temperatures reach 40°F several inches below ground.
-
Frost is out of the ground and soil has thawed.
-
Snow has melted around peonies, exposing ground.
-
Buds are swelling on nearby early spring trees and shrubs.
-
Other perennials like daylilies or hostas are sending up shoots.
-
Average daily temperatures are rising into the 40s and 50s°F.
Once you see these signs, keep a close eye on the garden and look for little red peony shoots poking up, usually around the perimeter of the plant.
Appearance of Peony Shoots
Newly emerged peony shoots are easy to recognize. Here’s what to look for:
-
Red color: The new shoots are tinted red or purple from anthocyanin pigments.
-
Pointed tips: Shoots emerge with pointed, spear-like tips before leaves unfurl.
-
Single stems: Individual shoots arise separately before bushiness develops.
-
Low height: Shoots are only a few inches tall at first.
-
Surrounding foliage: Shoots arise in the center of last year’s spent foliage.
Caring for New Peony Shoots
Once up, peony shoots require some care and protection to grow into mature plants:
-
Remove any winter mulch still surrounding shoots so they get sunlight.
-
Keep weeds and competing plants away from tender new growth.
-
Stake or cage peonies if needed to prevent flopping later when blooms develop.
-
Water spring rains are critical for proper shoot and root growth. Supplement if dry.
-
Avoid touching the delicate new shoots, which bruise and break easily.
Peony Shoot Growth Signals Blooms Ahead
The welcome sight of peony shoots in late winter and early spring is your first sign of the garden coming back to life after winter dormancy. It indicates that blooming season isn’t far behind.
Once shoots leaf out, the next phase of rapid stem elongation and flower bud swelling occurs through spring. Then glorious peony blossoms unfurl by late May in most climates, just 1-2 months after the very first shoots appear.
So celebrate the arrival of peony shoots as a sure promise that winter is over, and you’ll soon be enjoying these classic flowers in your garden again. With a little luck, patience and proper care you’ll be cutting fresh peony bouquets before you know it!
Common Questions About Peony Shoot Emergence
If you’re new to growing peonies, you likely have lots of questions about the appearance and growth of their shoots each spring. Here are some commonly asked questions:
Why Are Peony Shoots Red?
The red pigmentation comes from anthocyanins, compounds plants produce to protect tender new growth from sun exposure and damage. Once leaves unfurl, shoots fade to green.
How Long Do Peony Shoots Take to Emerge?
It takes 4-6 weeks from the first shoots poking up until they are 12+ inches tall and leaves are fully open. Timing varies based on climate and variety.
What Do Peony Shoots Look Like When They First Come Up?
At first peony shoots are just 1-3 inches tall, purplish-red, and have a spear shaped tip before leaves unfurl from buds.
Can Peony Shoots Be Damaged By Late Frost?
Yes, tender new growth can be damaged by hard freezes below 28°F. Cover shoots if frost threatens after they are several inches tall.
Do Peonies Flower on Old or New Wood?
Peonies bloom on stems that are one year old – the current season’s growth emerging from buds on the plant’s roots or crown.
How Long Should I Wait to Cut Peony Shoots For Bouquets?
It’s best to leave peony shoots intact until after flowering is complete, so plants are able to replenish energy stores in their roots.
What Should I Do With Peony Foliage After Flowering?
Leave foliage intact through the growing season until it naturally yellows in fall. This allows plants to reabsorb nutrients back into their root system.
Now that you know exactly what to look for and when peony shoots are due to pop out of the ground this spring, you can anticipate their arrival and properly care for them as they prepare to bloom. With a little patience, you’ll be rewarded soon enough with glorious flowers.
How to Care for Peonies in Spring
There are a few big things you need to do in the spring to take care of peonies so they give you lots of beautiful flowers later in the season. Lets take a look at the to-do items peony lovers need to add to their spring garden checklist:
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Get our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter” for free when you sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today. Get in touch with me about news and deals from other Future brands Get emails from us on behalf of our sponsors or trusted partners
But don’t spray fertilizer on or too close to the crown of a peony plant. This can lead to crown rot and fertilizer burn. Do the best thing by adding a slow-release fertilizer to the soil 6 to 18 inches (15 to 46 cm) around the plant’s crown.
If the soil around your peonies has washed away, you can fill in the gaps with homemade compost or cow manure that has been broken down. Just make sure not to pile it too deep or else you risk peonies not blooming.
Caring for peonies in spring also includes prepping them for growth. A lot of gardeners use stakes or cages to hold up plants like peonies, which tend to fall over after late-season snow. ( credit: PaulMaguire / Getty s).
In early spring, when the plants are still small, place supports around peony sprouts. Now is a better time to add supports like tomato cages or peony rings than when the peonies are big and falling over. Adding structure early means plants can simply grow through the supports. Then you can just leave them until fall when its time for pruning peonies.
Though usually problem-free, peonies are susceptible to a fungal disease known as botrytis blight. Fungal spores can overwinter at the base of plants or amongst garden debris. When temperatures and humidity rise in spring, fungus spreads and grows.
To keep peonies from getting botrytis, get rid of any diseased leaves from the previous year (if you didn’t get rid of them in the fall) and make sure mulch doesn’t touch the stems. This can lead to disease later in the season.
Also, little kids and pets should stay away from the soft new shoots of peony plants in the spring. Shoots break easily which can lead to pests, diseases, and even the death of the whole plant.